The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa in Tucson, AZ, began a comprehensive renovation in 2022. Leading the design team is Jill Cole, managing principal, Cole Martinez Curtis and Associates (CMCA), who structured the transformation across three phases—rooms and suites, the clubhouse and public areas. Phase 1, the guestroom renovation, which included upgrading the showcase San Xavier Suite, was completed in late 2023.
Hotel Business caught up with Cole to discuss the new look of the guestrooms, as well as what’s planned for the rest of the project.
What was the inspiration for the design of the guestrooms?
The Arizona desert landscape inspired the design of the guestrooms. Additionally, the influence of local and Native American culture played a significant role in the redesign, as seen in the texture of woven baskets and a new art collection showcasing materials such as textiles, copper and carved wood sculptures.
Can you tell us about the upgrades to the San Xavier Suite?
The suite features hardwood floors, custom wool area rugs and leather upholstered furnishings. The bedroom has a sizable linear fireplace against a dimensional tile wall, a large-screen TV and a lounge seating area. A smaller TV is concealed in a lift-up cabinet at the foot of the bed. Unique to the San Xavier Suite is a private wellness studio with a Peloton bike and Tonal Mirror. The outdoor balcony has been transformed with a new bar and firepit table setup, offering the perfect spot for al fresco gatherings and enjoying the stunning surroundings.
What were the colors that you used in the guestrooms?
The color palette was selected to mirror the vivid blue skies, succulents, agave and other desert greenery in the property’s landscape.
What were some of the FF&E manufacturers used in Phase 1 of the project?
- Upholstery: Lily Jack, Charter, Palacek
- Casegoods: Bernhardt (suites), Shawn Austin, Royal Custom Designs
- Outdoor: Walters Wicker, Danao Outdoor
- Fabrics: United Fabrics, P.Kaufmann, Valley Forge Fabrics, Pallas Textiles, Knoll Textiles (suites), Spinneybeck leather (suites upholstery, San Xavier Suite headboard embossed leather tiles), Chella Textiles (outdoor)
- Guestroom carpet: Crossley Axminster
- Suites’ wall-to-wall carpet and area rugs: Crossley Axminster, Loloey Axminster
- Suites art curated by Kevin Barry Art Advisory
What were some of the challenges faced during the renovation, and how did you overcome them?
Retaining the existing casegoods and wallcoverings challenged the design team to completely overhaul the existing color palette of warm rust and copper hues to a cooler-toned palette, while maintaining harmony with the existing gold-toned wallcovering and warm wood finish.
Working on the project while the hotel was open was a challenge. Strategic planning around the logistics of rooms and suites being out of commission ensured minimal disruption to hotel guests. This involved consideration of booking history, the season and local events.
How did Westin brand standards come into play during the renovation process?
The design team had to consider the Westin design standards throughout the design process, ensuring FF&E and materials meet the brand requirements while still designing the spaces in a way that reflects the locale and local aesthetic. Westin reviews and approves the entire design prior to proceeding with specifications.
How far are you into renovating the clubhouse and public areas? What are you changing in those spaces?
The renovation of the La Paloma Country Club banquet room is complete. Columns were removed from the center of the room to enhance flow and accommodate larger events. The room features refined finishes, including custom Axminster carpet, wallcoverings and chandeliers with gem-shaped glass shades.
The renovations to the public areas started in early January. This includes the lobby bar & lounge, registration and the grab-&-go café with retail and is slated for completion later this month. The reception will receive new wallcoverings; updated Axminster carpeting; furnishings; custom chandeliers and wall sconces; and artwork. The grab-and-go café has been relocated to a more spacious area and seamlessly integrated with the retail section, enhancing convenience for guests.
The lobby bar and lounge redesign involves innovative custom sconces, Axminster Carpet and seating arrangements, including lounge seating and community tables for work or dining. Previously, the design of this area did not fully capitalize on the breathtaking mountain vistas, prompting the relocation of the bar to the center of the lounge. This strategic move offers guests 360-degree views of the surrounding mountain range. When not taking in the scenery, there is now a 16-ft.-wide, large-screen TV with a state-of-the-art sound system.
